Jaguars GM: it's 'luxury' if Blackmon returns

INDIANAPOLIS – The Jacksonville Jaguars are picking third in the upcoming NFL draft, an immediate indication of their roster’s deficiencies.

And they may be forced to address an additional hole that seemed thoroughly patched in 2012 when they selected Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon with the fifth overall pick. But the talented wideout was suspended twice in 2013 for ongoing substance abuse problems — the first costing him four games at the start of the season, the second muddying his NFL future now that he’s banned indefinitely.

“If he comes back, it’s a luxury for us. If he doesn’t, we have a contingency plan,” Jags GM Dave Caldwell said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine.

“I think we’re gonna go business as usual, and if he comes back, that’s a bonus. If not, we’ll be alright.”

Blackmon has done a nice job handling his business on the field if not off of it. He averaged nearly 104 receiving yards per game in four appearances between suspensions last season after catching 64 balls for 865 yards as a rookie.

But he’s had a history of alcohol abuse that extends to his days in Stillwater, Okla., and the Jaguars have had limited contact with Blackmon as he tries to kick the problem.

Asked if he’d seen Blackmon much recently, Caldwell replied: “No. That’s really up to the NFLPA and the NFL league office. There are certain rules that we have to abide by in terms of our contact (with Blackmon).”